Final answer:
The ability of the body to recognize and react with multiple foreign substances is referred to as diversity, which is central to the functionality of the immune system to protect against various pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of the body to recognize and react with multiple foreign substances is termed diversity. This is a function of the immune system, involving a variety of cells and molecules that can identify and respond to a myriad of different antigens that the body may encounter. Immune diversity ensures that the body can defend itself against a wide array of pathogens.
Review Question Answers:
- Polyclonal antibodies might lack sufficient specificity because they cross-react with inappropriate antigens.
- Decreased sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus is known as difference threshold.
- The fact that the body does not normally mount an immune response to the molecules in food is an example of immune tolerance.
- A single antigen molecule may be composed of many individual B-cell receptors.
- Allergy to pollen is classified as immediate hypersensitivity.
- A characteristic of innate immunity that distinguishes wellness from un-wellness without the specificity of antigen receptors is broad recognition patterns that respond to common pathogens, rather than specific recognition.
- Class switching generally occurs during the secondary response of the immune system.